Selection process shocking’

Monday

Jun 30, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Although I am not a resident of Gadsden, I grew up there, attended the city schools through high school and have many relatives there, some of whom are students in the city school system. I am also aware that many things that happen in Gadsden affect all of Etowah County.For those reasons, I attempt to stay abreast of the events that make the news there. One of those events has prompted these comments.The procedure used by the school board to select a new superintendent of Gadsden City Schools, as reported in The Times on June 18, is shocking, to say the very least.The action taken by the board at that meeting would be ludicrous if it did not involve such a very important position in the system.It is difficult to imagine that selection being taken any more lightly by most of those responsible for filling the position.It appears that the outgoing superintendent, Bob Russell, recommended Ed Miller to Mike Haney, president of the school board, and his blessing was all that was needed. Was it Russell’s responsibility to recommend anyone before there were others to consider, or was it even his responsibility in the first place?Why was there such a big rush to hire Miller? Was it so urgent to have it done at that meeting, or was there time to do an honest search with due diligence to compare candidates?How can anyone know if the best candidate was appointed if there were no other candidates considered?When board member Gesna Littlefield asked about Miller’s goals and vision for the system he “responded with a prepared statement.” Did he have the prepared statement because he knew in advance that he would be appointed? Littlefield requested a copy of the statement and that the process be tabled until the copies were received. Her requests were denied. Why? Were other requests denied or questions left unanswered? Are the meetings conducted following “Robert’s Rules of Order?”Did Russell and Haney discuss, prior to the meeting, the fact that Miller would be appointed at that meeting? If so, how many other board members, and who, were given that information?The way the selection was made smacks too much of cronyism and the same “good ol’ boy” hiring process.This appointment leads one to wonder just how much favoritism and nepotism may be taking place in the school system.With all of the recent problems and court cases involving politicians and schools throughout the state, it seems the board would want to conduct a proper search with no hint of the appointment being questionable.My congratulations to the three board members who had the wisdom and intestinal fortitude to vote no on on the appointment in favor of an honest search.The appointment of Miller may be the very best, or as the board president said, “perfect,” that could be made, but, since there are no comparisons, who will ever know?Lawrence FreemanRainbow City

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